You see them all over the internet — articles with alluring titles like “DIY and Save” even “Wire a Hot Tub without Paying an Electrician.” But Calgary hot tub installation is not really such a simple task. This type of wiring can involve all kinds of unforeseen details; you may even need to upgrade your electrical service to accommodate the increased power load.
Still not sure of the best way to proceed? Take a good long look at the hazards of DIY hot tub wiring. They may come as quite a shock (pun intended).
Hot Tub Wiring Mistakes For DIY
GFCI Protection
Any electrical outlet outdoors and/or close to water must include GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protection. In case of any electrical short, a GFCI circuit works fast to disconnect your hot tub from the electrical supply.
Failure to install a GFCI – or incorrect installation – could result in fatal electrocution. (PS: Failure to test the GFCI on a regular basis is another common home electrical error.)
Bonding Mistakes
Any combination of water, electricity, and metal components can be dangerous. That’s why the current carrying metal parts need to properly be electrically bonded together and bonded back to the electrical panel by a professional. Careless mistakes can lead to a wiring problem or a short, resulting in shock or electrocution for hot tub users.
Grounding Mishaps
By the same token, the hot tub wiring must be grounded, allowing electricity to be safely channelled into the earth in an emergency situation. Skip this step and you’ll be putting both yourself and your guests at the mercy of an unexpected electrical hazard.
Tripping The Breaker
When you turn on your hot tub and the breaker immediately trips, you’ve got a problem. The cause could be as simple as a little moisture in the system or normal wear and tear. Or it could be something like loose wires or improper connections done by an overambitious amateur who thought he could wire the hot tub.
This is a risk, not just a nuisance, which could lead to very hazardous conditions and possibly even an electrical fire. Your breaker is telling you there is a major issue – take heed!
Why Hire An Electrician?
Electrical Codes
A professional Chestermere electrician is trained and experienced at following the complex requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and the local STANDATA, including its many revisions and updates. This enables him to pull the necessary permit from the Electrical Inspection Authority and wire your hot tub in a manner that will both ensure your safety and satisfy the requirements to pass an electrical inspection.
Insurance
If the unthinkable happens and a hot tub electrical problem causes an accident, your insurance provider will need to see the certificate proving your hot tub installation passed inspection. If you skipped this important process, your chances of a settlement are very, very unlikely.
Even under less tragic circumstances, your insurer may order an electrical inspection of your home (perhaps as part of an update or because you’re changing companies). When this happens, you want to be sure that your home wiring, including your hot tub, is 100% safe and professional.
Trained Professionals
Let’s be blunt here and rephrase the question. Instead of “Do I need an electrician to wire my hot tub?” ask instead “Who would I prefer to trust with my safety (and perhaps my very life) – a trained, licensed professional electrician or an amateur following instructions he got off of YouTube?”
Have Sun Electrical Wire Your Hot Tub Safely
Make your hot tub safe and fun. Book a professional code-standard hot tub installation with our experienced Cochrane electricians.